Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes the hand of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhny during the official celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Alexey Furman–Getty Images
Published February 5, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is weighing a decision to fire his top military commander as part of a wider government shakeup.
“A reset, a new beginning is necessary,” Zelensky told the Italian media outlet Rai News on Sunday night. “I have something serious in mind, which is not about a single person but about the direction of the country’s leadership.”
The comments came after Zelensky informed the White House that he intends to fire General Valery Zaluzhny, Reuters reported on Friday. Ukraine’s top military commander is an extremely popular figure in Ukraine but has butted heads with Zelensky after he requested to draft an additional 500,000 soldiers to join the fighting.
Prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Zelensky had frequently hired and fired top government officials. But if the cabinet reshuffle goes forward, it could be the first major personnel shake up in Ukraine’s government since the war started.
“When we talk about this, I mean a replacement of a series of state leaders, not just in a single sector like the military,” Zelensky said during the broadcast on Sunday. “If we want to win, we must all push in the same direction, convinced of victory.”
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SOURCE: www.time.com
RELATED: ‘We Need a Reset, New Beginning’ – Zelensky Says Contemplating Military Leadership Changes
On Italy’s Rai News 24 TV channel, President Zelensky explained that his considerations extend beyond the military, indicating a broader overhaul of senior officials in various government areas.
Published February 5, 2024
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed rumours that he is contemplating replacing Ukraine’s current military leadership.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Italian Rai News 24 TV channel on Sunday, Feb. 4, Ukraine’s President emphasized the need for a leadership reboot and the importance of a “fresh beginning” for the country.
“This is a question about the people who will lead Ukraine. Of course, we need a reset, a new beginning,” Zelensky said, addressing rumors about Zaluzhny’s potential dismissal.
He went on to explain that the consideration extends beyond the military sector, indicating a broader overhaul of senior officials in various areas of the government.
“When we talk about this, I mean the replacement of a number of senior officials of the state, not only in a separate sector, such as the military. I am thinking about this replacement [of Zaluzhny], but we cannot say that we have replaced one person,” Zelensky said.
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SOURCE: www.kyivpost.com
RELATED: Zelensky asks parliament to prolong martial law, mobilization
Zelensky holds a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Jan. 29, 2024. (Volodymyr Zelensky / X)
Published February 5, 2024
President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a proposal to the parliament on Feb. 5 to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days.
The president first declared martial law and general mobilization on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measure has been repeatedly extended since then.
Ukraine’s parliament previously extended martial law and mobilization from November 2023 until Feb. 14, 2024.
Zelensky’s proposal would extend the two measures until May 14.
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said this would be the 10th vote of the parliament on martial law since the beginning of the war.
